Keloid scar. Photo, what it is, treatment, how to get rid of folk remedies, laser, ointment

A keloid scar greatly spoils the appearance if it is located in prominent places. Get rid of the scar difficult, especially if the person has a tendency to form such scars.

What is a keloid scar

A keloid scar (or keloid) is a skin formation that forms as a result of the proliferation of connective tissue. Formed after the healing of the skin at the sites of burns and wounds. Usually, the keloid scar is smooth, dense, and well-defined.

With damage to the integument, fibroblast cells are activated, the function of which is to restore damaged tissues and synthesize collagen protein of the skin. If too many of these proteins are formed, fibers will proliferate and a scar will form. If the wound has been infected, the keloid scar may be larger than the wound.

Predisposing factors

Some people have a tendency to form keloids - several such defects can be found on their body.

Also, scar formation is facilitated by:

• suppuration of the wound;
• the presence of "lacerated" wounds;
• strong tension of the skin near the wound;
• hormonal disruption in the body;
• reduced immunity;
• the presence of keloids in close relatives (genetic predisposition).

Stages of development of a keloid scar

There are 4 stages of keloid formation:

1. Epithelialization - at the site of the wound, the epithelial layer is gradually formed, after 7-9 days. it becomes denser and paler. After 2-3 weeks. the site of damage turns red and swells.
2. Swelling - within 3-4 weeks. the hardening of the damaged skin area occurs. The damaged skin takes on a red tint.
3. Seal - the damaged area becomes much denser. A bulge is noticeable on the skin.
4. Softening - the scar turns pale and softens. When touched, pain may occur.

A fully formed keloid scar does not have a negative effect on the human body, but it causes severe moral discomfort and becomes the cause of complexes, especially if it is located on a visible part of the body.

If a keloid has arisen in the area of ​​the joint or facial muscles, then these parts of the body may be limited in movement.

Reasons for the appearance of a keloid scar in different parts of the body

Depending on where the keloid scar is located, there are various reasons for its occurrence.

Scars after blepharoplasty

After surgery to change the shape of the eyelid - blepharoplasty, a scar forms across the entire surface of the upper eyelid and looks like a thin volumetric strip of a reddish hue. Such a scar is also not visible if the person keeps the eye open.In this case, the keloid scar is dangerous in that it can interfere with the normal opening of the eye.

Scars after rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty, scars form where the surgeon wielded a scalpel - most often at the nostrils or on the septum between them. Scars are almost invisible, but they can be larger and affect the area above the lip.

Scars after mole removal

After removing a mole, a pinkish-brown crust remains anywhere, which cannot be torn off. If a person does this, then an infection can get into the wound left after removal, and as a result a keloid scar will form.

Also, a scar can occur if the deep layers of the skin were affected during the procedure. In an effort to restore their integrity, fibroblasts will synthesize more collagen, which will form into a scar.

The safest and less traumatic way to remove a mole is cryodestruction. During the procedure, the formation on the skin is frozen, and it disappears by itself - after it only a small trace remains.

Scars after mammoplasty

Keloid scars after mammoplasty are quite common. They also form at the incision sites - under the breast, near the nipples and the halo. They greatly spoil the appearance of the breasts and give a woman moral discomfort.

Scars after biorevitalization

Biorevitalization is a procedure for injecting hyaluronic acid under the skin, which is responsible for skin renewal by activating the action of fibroblasts. And the increased activity of fibroblasts, in turn, leads to the formation of keloid scars. Biorevitalization is contraindicated for those who have a tendency to develop keloid scars.

Scars after piercing

Scars after piercing are formed at the puncture sites: near the navel, on the nose, near the lips. Scars are less common on the ears and tongue. Eliminate them most often using laser skin resurfacing or cryodestruction.

Scars after acne, pimples

A keloid scar, which can be eliminated in a complex manner with the help of medicines and physiotherapy, rarely occurs after acne. Spots and scars on the skin after acne are post-acne, which appear if a person squeezes out pimples and carelessly takes care of the skin. You can get rid of scars using chemical peels or laser resurfacing.

Post-burn scars

Post-burn scars are formed as a result of any types of burns: thermal, chemical, electrical. The formation of a scar is affected by the degree of burn - if a burn of 1 degree (characterized only by redness), then with proper skin care, a scar with a probability of 99% will not appear.

With a burn of 2-4 degrees, when the skin begins to blister and reject, the likelihood of a keloid scar formation increases.

Is it possible to prevent scar formation?

A keloid scar, which is very difficult to get rid of, can occur even in those who do not have a tendency to form scars.

But you can prevent this defect if you follow the rules:

• When removing a mole, scar, warts, choose only licensed clinics and an experienced doctor; after procedures, never peel off the crusts from the sites of removal of defects and carefully take care of the resulting wounds.
• Rinse and disinfect wounds and abrasions immediately and avoid suppuration.
• Do not abuse procedures such as biorevitalization; also do not get carried away with the introduction of hyaluronic acid into the lip area in order to increase them.
• If there is a tendency to the occurrence of keloid scars, then after receiving a burn or abrasion, apply a silicone bandage or plaster to the affected area to stop the growth of scar tissue.

Self-management of the defect

A keloid scar causes strong complexes, so many of its owners want to get rid of the defect. Treatment of keloids is complex.

Medical treatment of a keloid scar

Medical treatment includes:

• Corticosteroid injections (hormonal drugs) directly into the scar tissue. The procedures are performed with an interval of 4-6 weeks, the number of procedures is set by the doctor (on average, 3-4 injections are administered per course of treatment). Corticosteroids help reduce collagen production by fibroblasts. The safest drugs in this group are triamcinolone acetonide at a dosage of 10-40 mg / ml - most patients tolerate it well.
• Interferon injections into scar tissue to improve immunity. The drug is administered according to the following scheme: 2-3 weeks. every other day and then 1-2 times a week. within 3 months.
• Enzyme preparations in the form of injections (Longidaza, Lidaza). Such agents break down hyaluronic acid and help stop the formation of scar tissue. The course of treatment is from 5 to 20 injections, depending on the size of the formation.

Treatment is selected individually, depending on the age, the size of the keloid scar and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are not able to completely eliminate the keloid scar, however, with their help, the formations can be made less noticeable.

Cosmetic oils

The following cosmetic oils can be used to care for a keloid scar:

• rosemary;
• mint;
• fennel.

Any of these oils (or a mixture of them) must be rubbed into the scar tissue several times a day for 2 weeks. Before use, you need to test for an allergic reaction - apply a drop of oil to the inner side of the wrist and leave for 3-4 hours. If there is no itching, redness, burning sensation, then the oil can be used to treat a keloid scar.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice will help make the scar lighter and less visible. It is necessary to squeeze out some juice, moisten a cotton swab in it and rub the scar well.

Then you should wait until the juice is absorbed into the skin (2-3 minutes) and rinse the treated area with warm water. Repeat the procedure 3 times a day for 1.5-2 weeks until the scar tissue brightens.

Honey

Honey has anti-inflammatory and whitening properties and has proven itself well in eliminating keloid scars. It helps to reduce the size of the defect and make it lighter. Honey must be rubbed into the skin affected by scar tissue for 5 minutes, and kept on the skin for an hour, rinsed with water. The procedure should be performed once a day for 7 days.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, which is very important in the early stages of scar tissue formation. Regular use of aloe vera compresses during this period can help prevent overgrowth of the scar and make it less visible.

As compresses, you can apply a piece of the plant with a cut to the sore spot and fix it with a bandage. Keep the compress for 1-1.5 hours, then remove and rinse the skin.

Homemade ointments and gels

Onion ointment can be prepared as a homemade ointment. Onions are recognized as an effective remedy for scars and keloids. The plant extract helps to reduce the severity of the scar and can be used to prevent the formation of scars and scars after surgery or injury.

To prepare the ointment, it is necessary to grind 1 onion in a blender and mix it with petroleum jelly, so that an ointment is obtained. Apply the product to the skin 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks.

Sophora ointment also helps - the fruits must be crushed and mixed with melted goose fat. Put the mixture on a slow fire and simmer for about 1 hour, then cool and place in a container of dark glass. Apply the product to the skin 2-3 times a day for 1-2 months until the scar becomes less noticeable. Store the ointment in the refrigerator.

Cosmetic creams

Cosmetic creams occupy an important position in the treatment of keloid scars - they can significantly reduce the severity of the scar and even completely eliminate it.

The most effective remedies in this category are:

Cosmetological and medical procedures for scar removal

It is possible to eliminate a keloid scar quite quickly with the help of cosmetic and medical procedures that are aimed at improving the condition of the skin and completely removing the keloid.

Microcurrents

A keloid scar, which can only be eliminated in a complex way, is formed due to poor blood circulation and a lack of oxygen in the tissues. It is possible to improve blood circulation with the help of microcurrents - this is electrophoresis, a physiotherapeutic procedure. A drug (gel or ointment) is applied to the scar, a conductive sensor is applied and left for 10-15 minutes.

Microcurrents improve blood circulation and increase the permeability of the skin, as a result of which the active substances of the drugs penetrate more easily into the skin layers and affect the scar tissue in the deeper layers. The course of treatment is from 10 to 14 days, carried out in a hospital.

Pressotherapy

Pressotherapy or squeezing is used to stop the growth of scar tissue. A helium-silicone patch is applied to a young scar (not older than 1 year), which must be worn from 9 to 12 months. around the clock. The bandage puts pressure on the scar and reliably fixes its borders, preventing their growth.

If a person has a tendency to form keloid scars, then such a bandage is applied to the wound almost immediately after the tissue has healed. The most effective remedy in the form of a patch is Kontraktubex.

Laser removal

Laser skin resurfacing allows you to almost completely eliminate the scar in 1-2 procedures and give the skin an even and smooth appearance. During the procedure, a laser beam is directed at the scar tissue, which, due to the high temperature, excises the tissue. Later, they are rejected on their own, and in their place, smooth and healthy skin is formed.

Laser resurfacing has a drawback - the keloid scar can recur. Therefore, laser treatment is usually accompanied by hormone therapy to prevent new scars.

Radiation effect on the scar

Radiation therapy consists of exposing pathological tissues to ionizing radiation or radiation. Most often, radiation therapy is used to destroy cancerous tumors in the body.During the procedure, a radiation beam is directed at the malignant cells, which destroys them.

Radiation exposure to the keloid scar, as well as X-ray therapy, is rarely used. The risk of side effects is too high compared to other methods. Radiation and radiation therapy is used only in cases where medical, physiotherapy and surgical methods do not help or the scars constantly recur.

Cryo method

Cryotherapy - exposure to liquid nitrogen is also used to remove moles, scars, and warts. A cold application of liquid nitrogen is applied to the scar tissue for 5-15 seconds. During this time, tissue necrosis occurs, they begin to be rejected. Later, healthy skin forms in their place. It takes 3 to 6 months to completely renew the skin on the treated area.

Surgery

A keloid scar, which can be eliminated with the help of surgery, is rarely treated with this method, since the probability of recurrence is higher than 50%. The operation is resorted to if the scar is very large and interferes with the movement of joints and muscles. In this case, the scar tissue is excised with a scalpel and sutured.

X-ray therapy

X-ray therapy has a large number of contraindications and side effects. It is not carried out in cancer patients, pregnant women and children, in patients with severe chronic diseases of various organ systems.

During X-ray therapy, the outer layer of the skin is irradiated with X-rays, resulting in the destruction of fibroblasts and old cells of the connective tissue. The procedure is carried out once - after it an antiseptic bandage is applied to the skin.

A keloid scar is not a dangerous, but very ugly defect. It will take time to get rid of it, the main thing is to follow all the doctor's recommendations and carefully take care of your skin. This is especially true for people who are prone to scarring on the body.

Video about myths in the treatment of keloid scars

The plastic surgeon's answers to questions about keloid scars: